After A News Presenter Gets A Visible Face Tattoo, This Woman Educates People On How To Be Respectful
Last year, 35-year-old Oriini Kaipara fulfilled her lifelong dream of getting a moko kauae, a traditional lower chin tattoo worn by Māori women. Following this decision, the woman made history by becoming the first employed TV news presenter with a facial tattoo. Kaipara, who is a mother of 4, lives in Auckland, New Zealand and currently works for TVNZ, made headlines in 2017 when a DNA test revealed that she is 100% Māori.
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While Kaipara’s decision was accepted by her employees, it’s clear that both viewers and people around her had varied reactions. It prompted Taj Anwar Baoll to share a very similar experience her coworker went through in order to educate people on how to be more respectful not only to other people’s appearance, but their spiritual practices, too.
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In her viral post, Baoll discusses what sort of behavior is completely inappropriate and summarizes it by saying: “What it boils down to really… is stop being entitled and nosy. Everything ain’t for you to know OR understand”
Image credits: dopestbabiesmama
Kaipara hopes that her moko kauae will brake barriers for other people, too. “The feedback has been amazing, it’s been really humbling. I did my best and that’s all I wanted. It’s not just about me, it’s about taking opportunities and opening up opportunities for moko wearers, for Māori – I don’t want this to be a one-hit wonder,” she told the Herald.
Here’s how people reacted to Baoll’s post
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Share on FacebookWhile I get the gist of this article, I absolutely don't agree with the statement: "What it boils down to really… is stop being entitled and nosy. Everything ain’t for you to know OR understand." Learning and understanding anything that is outside of our normal frame of reference opens us up to being empathetic and understanding people. Ignorance is NOT bliss and being "different" does not make you special. Again, agree that touching without permission is always a no-no, but there's nothing wrong with asking (thoughtfully), listening, and learning.
There's a difference between politely asking about something and being entitled to know that thing. I agree that knowing and learning is A Good Thing, but not at someone else's expense, ya? Asking because you want to learn is wonderful. Asking because you intend to mock someone is not.
Load More Replies...You can't tattoo something in the most obvious place and expect people to not have questions. If it makes her happy, great for her, but that doesn't mean people won't have questions.
The thing is, in New Zealand EVERYONE except visitors and the newly immigrated knows what a moko kauae is (or should). No one should question her desire to have one and to not be harassed for it, even if she is on-air. It's part of Maori culture, and as a result it's part of New Zealand/Aotearoa culture, so I'm surprised and saddened that it's even an issue.
Load More Replies...Love the picture of her at her news desk. I'mm glad the station weren't jerks about it.
While I get the gist of this article, I absolutely don't agree with the statement: "What it boils down to really… is stop being entitled and nosy. Everything ain’t for you to know OR understand." Learning and understanding anything that is outside of our normal frame of reference opens us up to being empathetic and understanding people. Ignorance is NOT bliss and being "different" does not make you special. Again, agree that touching without permission is always a no-no, but there's nothing wrong with asking (thoughtfully), listening, and learning.
There's a difference between politely asking about something and being entitled to know that thing. I agree that knowing and learning is A Good Thing, but not at someone else's expense, ya? Asking because you want to learn is wonderful. Asking because you intend to mock someone is not.
Load More Replies...You can't tattoo something in the most obvious place and expect people to not have questions. If it makes her happy, great for her, but that doesn't mean people won't have questions.
The thing is, in New Zealand EVERYONE except visitors and the newly immigrated knows what a moko kauae is (or should). No one should question her desire to have one and to not be harassed for it, even if she is on-air. It's part of Maori culture, and as a result it's part of New Zealand/Aotearoa culture, so I'm surprised and saddened that it's even an issue.
Load More Replies...Love the picture of her at her news desk. I'mm glad the station weren't jerks about it.
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